Bhs

[Jayneus]

Hey Guys

Just wondered if you could help me. I am starting at Bishop Burton College in September and am going to do my BHS stage one (then do my level 2 then 3) and also run the HNC in equine management alongside it. The reason for this is becuase I want a total career change from admin to my passion and would unltimately love to teach riding.

The tutor said that I would have to have lessons in between to get me to the BHS level. I have ridden and do ride as and when I can but would just like to know what sort of level of riding is needed for this?

Also after I pass these (hopefully!) would I need further qualifications to get me to instructor level??

Thanks!!!!!

J

[laurenefb]

Take a look at the syllabus on the BHS website (http://bhs.org.uk/Content/Ods-More.asp?id=1799&pg=Education&spg=Information&area=2) - if you click on any of the stages you will be able to see what you need to be able do for them.

[coss]

don't know all the details as i haven't done the BHS stages but i think i'm right in saying after stage 3 you have to do an instructors level and then you will have to do a certain number of hours teaching to become a full instructor.
I think you need to be able to do first aid too.

You have to be able to a level in stable management per stage.

At stage 2 you need to recognise the problems with a horse (it is stiff to the left but not as bad to the right for example).

At stage 3 you have to be able to recognise the problems and be able to come up with ways to help the horse (eg spirals to get the horse more supple)

For the final exam - teacher level - you will be asked to teach a lesson (part of, about 20-25 minutes) and they expect you to do a quick warm up, state the aim of the lesson and have achieved it in that time. you may also be asked to give a lunge lesson. i think you also have to do a talk on a subject, you are given the subject in the morning and have to give a 5 minute talk on it in the afternoon and be able to answer questions.

Hope that helps - i've been used by my instructor to train other people to teach if that makes any sense, hence why i know what i know but am unsure of the total specifications :)

[Jayneus]

So am i on the right track as such?

[eml]

Certainly as an employer I would take BHS/ABRS qualifications in preference to academic ones.

[Skib]

I ride out with a lot of trainees, doing exactly what you plan to do. The BHS website used to confuse me so I will pass on (as gossip of course) what the girls told me.
Stage 1 Riding and stable management is elementary. BHS aim to make it as easy and as encouraging as possible.
Stage 2 involves more - both riding and book learning. At the same time, if you want to teach riding, you begin to take other qualifications, first aid and the BHS Riding and Road safety test.
Once you have passed these you are allowed to take the Preliminary Teaching Test. After that you do a fixed number of hours supervised teaching of different kinds - like teaching practice. The exact number of hours required depends on the type of centre you are training at. I dont know how a College course arranged this, as I know only from the riding school perspective and you need access to people to teach.
After doing your teaching practice you are still not an Assistant Instructor until you have passed Stage 3. Stage 3 is not hard in itself compared to A levels, say, but it does involve detailed learning and memorising of information e.g. about the horse's muscles which I as a leisure rider would not expect myself to know.

I dont know how old you are and what your riding experience, but if the riding side may be a problem for you, it is worth looking closely at the BHS site for any new qualifications to teach. I have heard it said that the BHS were no longer going to stipulate that all teachers must be able to jump or do cross country - that many older riders who would make excellent riding teachers were being excluded by the demands of the riding exams.

At both yards where I ride staff take the BHS exams as well as NVQ's so it is quite possible to combine study for the BHS with taking other exams and working and riding. But most candidates will receive special tuition on the riding side and probably spend quite a long time in the saddle. If you look at Raingodz's thread on Stage 1 Results you will see some discussion of the amount of riding and experience of different horses required at each BHS Stage. This is why your college are telling you that you will need extra riding tuition.


However, you will also see on that same thread, that I posted about people who had already graduated (not all in equine subjects) working for a year at a register training centre (Riding school) and getting their qualifications to teach riding during that one year.

However you can take the Stable Management exams (which would fit with your College course) without taking the riding exams. And take those later. At least I think you can.

eml on this Board is very expert in the preparation of students to take BHS qualifications - she and her daughter have both done it.

As a Granny (and academic exam passer likewise with daughrers who once took many exams) I know the exams worry a lot of young people taking them, and unfortunately not everyone is as closely supervised and prepared as you would be by eml. The exams are nothing to worry about, can be retaken and shouldnt stress you. But as with any exam system, what counts is that you cover the exact syllabus and perform the exact tasks set in the way specified by the BHS.
I have spot tested candidates who hacked out with me and found that some riders simply know too much? The BHS are not looking for a long discussion of alternatives at Stage 2 level.
Marks are gained for an exact textbook answer - even if it differs from the way things are done at your yard.
Where the BHS allows two alternative ways of doing something (an example used to be putting a rug on a horse) you should know that both are permitted by the syllabus and be able to explain (if asked) why you chose the one you did.

Before booking to take one you should make sure that the syllabus you have is up to date, that you have covered the syllabus, have learned it and have time and motivation to revise it. Get someone to test you. Because once you are certain of what you know, you will have that confidence and authority necessary to handle or ride the horse and have them comply with what you ask of them. And also to demonstrate your teaching skills.

You seem to be taking a sensible approach to getting the qualifications you need and I wish you well.

[eml]

Just to clarify a couple of points from Skibs reply.

The 'older' riders exemption is really only applicable to those who have competed at affiliated level when younger and is geared at people like me who took up teaching riding in my forties after another career.

Marks are not specifically given for any answer but for a candidate knowing why they do things their way and demonstrating a well thought out safe and practiced approach. As an example daughter almost had an argument with one examiner over a particular topic that she felt strongly about which ended up with the examiner agreeing with her logic, less forthright candidates however often feel safer 'sticking to a party line'.

The riding is often underestimated as the sylibus (sorry can't spell this morning !) only states the work to be shown not the level at which it is to be achieved. Have a look at the Exam DVD for a better idea

[quests_grace]

to become an assistant instructor (AI) u need to pass your stage 1, riding and road safety, stage 2, stage 3 and first aid (for all of the stages you need to pass both the horse knowledge and care and the riding parts) then you need to take your PTT exam. This used to have to be backed up with 500 hours of logged teaching but its since been revised and now the candidate just has to submit a portfolio of teaching plans etc to gain this qualification. If you pass all of these then you gain BHS AI status.
Im taking the same route :D you will need lessons as stage 2 requires you to ride 2 horses on the flat and jumping a 2ft 9 (i think) course and to ride outside, stage 3 you have to be able to ride on the flat, showjump 3ft3 and xc 3ft max so you will need lessons to get used to various types of horse. I work at an exam centre and for stage 3 you are expected to be able to handle pretty much whatever you are given. have a look on the BHS website under the education section to get a better idea, and good luck with it! :) x

[Jayneus]

Thanks for all the info and support guys it has really helped! Do you think I would be better just doing the BHS studies and concentrating on them and dropping the HNC then?

Skibs - I am 24 and have ridden for 15 years but for about 6 of those have only done it as and when I can so I think that I would need alot of teaching as am quite rusty with it apart from the basics:rolleyes: . Also I work full time so with regards to the teaching hours would I be able to do that with who I am training with? I am sure you have probably said but am having one of those days!

I am sorry to sound daft guys but just want to make sure that I am making the best descision!

Thanks
xx